It feels inevitable now. That’s the quiet truth circulating through Liverpool’s inner circles. As uncomfortable as it may be to accept, the clock is ticking. Mohamed Salah — the Egyptian King, the icon of a generation, the scorer of miracles and breaker of records — will eventually step aside. And when that day arrives, Liverpool cannot be caught unprepared. The next great right-winger must already be lined up.
That search has now taken an unexpected — almost surreal — turn. Because the player some insiders believe could inherit Salah’s role currently plays across Stanley Park. Yes, it sounds unthinkable: an Everton star being viewed as Liverpool’s potential next attacking talisman.
At first glance, the idea feels taboo. Liverpool and Everton may be separated by only a park, but their rivalry runs deep, defined by decades of pride and tension. Yet football has a habit of crafting unlikely stories. And recently, one name has emerged with increasing conviction and clarity: Iliman Ndiaye.
Under Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s recruitment model has evolved. The club is prioritizing footballing identity over reputation, seeking players whose instincts match the system. Slot’s style demands dynamic wide forwards — dribblers, creators, players who can destabilize defences and open passing lanes. It’s a system built on intelligence, fluidity, and controlled chaos. And Ndiaye, currently thriving at Goodison Park, fits that template almost perfectly.
Salah’s contract lasts until 2027, but few at the club expect him to stay that long. After nearly a decade of carrying Liverpool’s attacking burden, delivering goals, assists, leadership, and moments of brilliance, even legends eventually reach the end of their cycles. Liverpool know they cannot wait for his farewell before preparing the transition. Their next era — the next five years of attacking evolution — hinges on this decision. The player who follows Salah must uphold more than a role; he must protect a legacy.
That’s why the scouting process has been exhaustive. Liverpool have tracked wide forwards across Europe, but one of the most complete modern attackers is much closer to home. Since his move to Everton, Ndiaye has emerged as one of the league’s most electrifying dribblers — explosive, inventive, and devastating in tight spaces. With 25 successful take-ons already, he sits among the Premier League’s elite, evidence of his fearlessness and technique.
For Liverpool, who have recently struggled to unlock deep defensive blocks, Ndiaye offers the very quality they’ve been lacking. Salah once solved these situations with moments of pure brilliance. But with him aging and occasionally rotated, Liverpool no longer have a winger who can weave past multiple defenders and create something from nothing. Ndiaye possesses that uncommon talent — the ability to turn congestion into opportunity.
And while comparing anyone to Salah is harsh, Ndiaye provides a different flavour, one that may better suit Slot’s framework. Salah thrives on speed, timing, and lethal finishing. Ndiaye thrives on fluidity — dribbling, deception, rhythm. He draws defenders toward him, opening space for forwards like Isak or Ekitike. He could become the creative spark of Liverpool’s next attacking cycle.
But there’s a towering obstacle: the Merseyside divide. Liverpool and Everton simply do not trade players. It’s not an official rule, but a long-standing cultural boundary. The last direct move came in 2002, when Abel Xavier switched blue for red, sparking uproar across the city. Since then, Liverpool admired players like Anthony Gordon and Jarrad Branthwaite, but Everton refused to deal.
For Hughes to pull this off, he would need to break one of English football’s most stubborn traditions. Yet some believe Ndiaye is worth the risk. His form has already attracted interest from major clubs, but Liverpool’s style — and proximity — make them the most natural match, if they’re brave enough to try.
Everton would resist fiercely. Selling their star to Liverpool would feel like surrendering pride. But football is shaped by opportunity — and financial necessity can influence decisions. If Liverpool presented a transformative offer, perhaps the impossible could become possible.
There’s also a romantic element to this story. Ndiaye, once viewed as a rough diamond, has grown into an all-round attacker. His rise from humble beginnings to Premier League standout mirrors Liverpool’s ethos: work ethic, fight, and belief. Many supporters see him as a Liverpool-type player trapped in blue.
Slot, meanwhile, understands that replacing Salah isn’t about finding a clone. You build a new structure around the next leader. Ndiaye may not score 30 goals, but he can trigger a new kind of dominance — one built on creativity and unpredictability. He can restore the street-football spark that defined Liverpool at their best.
Watching him for Everton, it’s clear why fans debate his potential arrival. His dribbling, his movement, his fearlessness — it all evokes echoes of Salah’s early days. In today’s hyper-organized Premier League, where many defenses are robotic, players like Ndiaye are priceless.
But will Liverpool go for him? Hughes has a reputation for bold decisions. His appointment signalled a new era: clever, brave recruitment. He knows every successful Liverpool team has had its defining winger — the player who lifts the attack and sets the tone. Salah was that figure under Klopp. Ndiaye could be that figure under Slot.
Naturally, fans are divided. Accepting an Everton player as a future Anfield hero feels strange. But football heals divides quickly. If Ndiaye ever pulls on the red shirt, scores at Anfield, and celebrates in front of the Kop, most doubts will fade. Rivalry rarely survives what a great footballer can do.
Another element fuelling the discussion is timing. Liverpool understand Salah may soon seek one final adventure — perhaps in Saudi Arabia, maybe the MLS. When that happens, they cannot scramble. They must already have a successor in place. Ndiaye, already Premier League-proven and tactically suited, could step in immediately. No adaptation period. No learning curve.
His numbers this season reinforce his reputation. Beyond dribbling, his creativity, improved finishing, and relentless pressing match Slot’s demands. He doesn’t shirk defensive work; he embraces it. That blend of flair and work ethic is what sets him apart.
Liverpool’s current wingers — Díaz, Jota, Gakpo — have provided moments, but none replicate Salah’s right-side dominance. Ndiaye could be the missing ingredient, restoring chaos and directness to the flank.
A Liverpool-Everton transfer would be seismic. It would dominate global headlines. But great teams are built by bold decisions. Hughes might see this as his defining move — the one that proves Liverpool are willing to go where others fear.
Replacing Salah will always be emotional. He’s more than a player; he’s a symbol of Liverpool’s rise. His legacy will live forever at Anfield. But the game doesn’t pause. It moves forward, searching for the next cornerstone. And right now, just across Stanley Park, that player might be sharpening his craft in blue.
Which is why those inside Liverpool keep repeating the same quiet conviction: It has to happen. Not because it’s simple, or comfortable, but because football is driven by greatness, not boundaries. And sometimes destiny ignores colours altogether.
